Maria Sharapova has topped the earnings list in women’s sport for the last calendar year, earning $29 million (R285 million) from June 2012 to June 2013. This is Sharapova’s ninth year at the top of the list. Of her $29 million earnings, $6 million came from prize money, while $23 million was the fruit of endorsement deals.
Sharapova’s big ticket earnings began rolling in shortly after she won Wimbledon in 2004 at the tender age of 17. Since then endorsement deals have been flying her way, including Nike, Samsung, Porsche and Tag Heuer.
In 2002, she launched her personally-funded sweets business, Sugarpova. Available in 15 countries, profits are high, but the money doesn’t go to her pocket. She plans to re-invest the cash into consumer goods industries including fashion and make-up.
Serena Williams was close behind with earnings of $20,5 million.
[Source: Forbes]
